Posts By: Jeff Janas
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Farmers in South Bay Counties Encouraged to Participate in Agricultural Workforce Development Survey
Western Growers is collaborating with the California Community College’s Agriculture, Water and Environmental Technologies (AWET) Program to identify the current workforce training gaps in the agricultural sector. The information collected will be used to bring more training to the South Bay region through Workforce Development Offices in each county. Farmers and ranchers in Santa Cruz,…
DOT Issues Exemption to Regulation Prohibiting the Transportation of Pre-1991 Mobile Refrigeration Units
Western Growers and other industry members have been working with the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration to secure regulatory relief from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) preventing the continued transportation of pre-June 1, 1991, mobile refrigeration units. For those members involved in the transportation of mobile refrigeration units, the following action taken by the…
Nassif to Participate in October 5 Immigration Policy Event
On Thursday, October 5, 2017, Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif will participate in the National Immigration Forum’s event, Leading the Way: A New Approach to American Immigration in Washington, D.C. The event will bring together faith, law enforcement, business leaders and others for a constructive conversation on immigration policy solutions that serve the ...
Nassif Discusses Ag Immigration Policy during National Immigration Forum Event
Today, Western Growers President & CEO Tom Nassif joined leaders from Chobani, Walmart and The American Hotel & Lodging Association on a panel to discuss immigration policy solutions that serve the interests of America, especially its workers and their families. The event, Leading the Way: A New Approach to American Immigration, was hosted by National Immigration ...
Former WG Board Member David Hart Passes Away
Following a long illness, David Hart, former Western Growers’ Board Director and respected agriculture industry leader, passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2017. According to Grower-Shipper Association’s Jim Bogart, Dave served twice on GSA’s board during the 40 years he spent in agriculture. He also held prominent positions at Royal Packing, Dole Fresh Vegetables and, ...
WG Calls on Trump Administration to Modernize, Not Terminate NAFTA
In response recent public statements made by President Trump and members of his Cabinet indicating that the U.S. may withdraw from NAFTA, Western Growers sent a letter urging the Administration to modernize, not terminate NAFTA. In the letter, WG President and CEO Tom Nassif cites the economic benefits that NAFTA has provided the domestic fresh ...
Projected H-2A Wage Rates for 2018
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released data that will be used to calculate the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for H-2A workers for 2018. According to the data, it is projected that: Arizona’s AEWR is expected to decrease from $10.95 to $10.62 per hour (-4.47%). California’s AEWR is expected to increase from $12.57 ...
CDFA Expands Psyllid Quarantine Area in Santa Clara County
The Asian citrus psyllid quarantine area in Santa Clara County has expanded an additional 61 square-miles following the detection of multiple psyllids in and around the city of San Jose. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) issued a notice of the expanded quarantine area on February 2, 2015. The action brings the total ...
Deal Lacking, West Coast Port Issues Continue
A labor dispute between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshoreman and Warehouse Union (ILWU) continues to hamper operations at 29 West Coast ports creating havoc for fruit, vegetable and nut importers and exporters. Following a suspension of operations over the weekend by PMA, dockworkers began work again on Monday, loading and unloading ...
Psyllid Detections in Tulare County Continue to Affect Fresno County
On March 6, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced it was expanding the Asian Citrus Psyllid quarantine area in Fresno County due to two additional detections of the invasive species in Tulare County. The detections were made along the southern border where Tulare borders Fresno County in unincorporated areas near the city ...
Part of San Benito County under Asian Citrus Psyllid Quarantine
Following the detection of one Asian citrus psyllid near the city of Hollister, a quarantine has been issued for a 106 square-mile area in San Benito County. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) issued the notice of the detection and the quarantine on May 4, 2015. As was previously reported in Spotlight, CDFA ...
State Ag Board to ‘Live Stream’ Meeting on Drought Impacts & Public Perceptions
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced that the State Board of Food and Agriculture will “live stream” a public meeting focusing on the complexity of drought impacts and a wide range of public perceptions. The meeting will be held on June 2, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the California ...
Today’s California Water Digest
A lot happened in the California water world today. Here’s a brief recap: Preliminary Report on Drought Impacts A study prepared for the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and entitled, “Preliminary Analysis: 2015 Drought Economic Impact Study,” (UC Davis Center for Watershed Science) was issued today and forecasted that the drought is expected ...
What Does Big Data Have to Do with Agriculture?
Big Data. Agriculture. What is the nexus between the two? How can using data analytics help to make your operation more profitable and efficient? This Western Growers’ Lunch and Learn webinar will provide an overview of big data concepts, management and general applications. It will offer the opportunity to learn about a few examples of specific applications ...
Resnick Appointed by ALRB Chairman to Advisory Committee
Western Growers Vice President and General Counsel Jason Resnick has been appointed by Agricultural Labor Relations Board Chairman William B. Gould IV to serve on a newly created ad hoc labor-management advisory committee representing labor and management. The committee will meet to discuss issues and concerns of general interest to the ALRB and to provide ...
WG Participates in Career Pathway Program at Fresh Produce Expo
Yesterday, the Regional Career Pathway program was held in conjunction with the Fresh Produce and Floral Council Expo in Anaheim, California. The goal of the Career Pathway program is to attract talent for the produce and floral sectors by providing information and networking opportunities to top agriculture, agribusiness, food marketing, food science and horticulture students ...
Washington Supreme Court Rules on Piece-Rate Workers’ Rest Breaks
The Washington Supreme Court, in a 9-0 decision, ruled Thursday that piece-rate farmworkers must be paid separately for rest breaks. The court also addressed the question of the applicable rate of pay for piece-rate workers while taking rest periods. The court held that pieceworkers must be paid at least the minimum wage or the pieceworker’s ...
State Water Board Issues Draft Cease-and-Desist Order Against Irrigation District
The State Water Resources Control Board has notified the West Side Irrigation District of Tracy to halt diversion of water from the Old River in San Joaquin County. The Board’s draft cease and desist order comes on the heels of recent curtailment notices issued by the Board on May 1 to hundreds of junior water ...
DOL Issues Guidance on Independent Contractor Misclassification
On July 15, 2015, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Wage and Hour Division, issued new interpretive guidance on proper classification of employees and independent contractors. In the guidance document, the DOL claims that misclassification of employees as independent contractors is “one of the most serious problems facing affected workers, employers, and the entire economy.” ...
CH Robinson Readies for Contingencies Due to I-10 Closure
C.H. Robinson (CHR), our partners in Western Growers Transportation Program, issued a notice to customers today reminding them that CHR stands ready to help with transportation contingency planning due to the closure of Interstate 10 near the California/Arizona border. The road and a bridge were washed out as a result of heavy rains that occurred ...